New National Business Support Partner for Start Up Loans

GC Business Finance has been awarded a new national contract under the Start Up Loans scheme as lead Business Support Partner (BSP). The contract has allowed for a team expansion creating 13 new roles headed up by Alex Mearns; consisting of eight underwriters, an underwriting team leader, two pipeline managers, a business advisor, and a national engagement manager. We expect the Start Up Loan output to quadruple over the next three years, targeting delivery of over £90m - So we will continue to recruit, all opportunities can be found on our careers page.

The Start Up Loans scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, provides financial support, guidance, and advice to entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. No stranger to the scheme, GCBF have provided Start Up Loans to entrepreneurs across the North West for the past decade, and we look to hit the ground running.

In particular, we will be looking to deliver loans to those who may face more barriers when trying to access finance to develop and grow their business, especially female and black and minority ethnic (BAME) entrepreneurs.

GCBF will also deliver pre-application support and has partnered with Fashion Angel, a London-based specialist business support organisation, to assist with providing loans to the fashion sector.

Alex Mearns, Head of Startup Lending at GCBF, said: "We are extremely proud to have secured the UK-wide contract for the Start Up Loans scheme. We are excited to welcome our new team members and expand our support to entrepreneurs across the country. Early-stage entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy, and if we can help more of them access the early finance they need, then we can get them ready for mainstream lending and further growth."

For more information on the Start Up Loans scheme and how to apply, visit - Applying for a Start Up Loan - Start Up (startuploans.co.uk)